For the first time in its 186-year history, The Spectator‘s cover story will be written by its readers: people from outside of Scotland, saying why they want Scotland to stay and keep our country united. Even over lunchtime, we have been deluged with people writing in to say why they want Scots to stay.
Please keep these coming. If you have sent an email, ask two or three of your friends to send more: editor@spectator.co.uk. Include a picture if you don’t mind our using it. Put ‘STAY!’ in the subject title, and do say where you’re from.
We’ll run them in the cover feature of the new Spectator, certainly, but I thought I’d share a few of them now: they’re better than any speech you’ll hear from any politician.
Our country, our united Kingdom is, above all, a union of peoples. And it is the people of these countries, rather than Westminster, who are now stepping up to fight to keep that country. These emails make it far harder for Alex Salmond to argue that it’s a vote against a Westminster elite – and easier to see how our great country can stay together.
GARETH MILNER, from Durham Gareth Milner ‘Once, the people of these islands bled whilst facing each other. But the world has seen us standing side by side, proudly and magnificently, fighting mot just for our liberty but for that of others. The glue, the foundation, the very fabric of what holds the United Kingdom together, is the people. Next week’s referendum is indeed a golden opportunity – from Holme Fen to Ben Nevis – to reaffirm a belief in a blessed union. It’s true that similarities bring us together. But I remain convinced our differences – what we each bring to the table – are what make this country far stronger together that it would be if we stood apart. I love my country. Many people have previously fought, bled and died for it. I do not wish to see it crumble.’ THOMAS CARTER from Upminster, Essex ‘My brother recently traced my family history – he found Welsh, Irish and English roots but sadly none from Scotland. But this doesn’t mean I’m not filled with dismay at the idea of my country, which despite its many faults I’m proud to be a citizen of, being dissolved. ‘I love the diversity of our different nations: the Welsh choirs, Morris dancing or the bemusing taste of Irn-Bru. The Yes campaign has focussed on the differences between Scots and the rest: yes, Scotland is probably more socially democratic than England. Your comedians are slightly grittier. But it’s our similarities that have made this union one of the most successful on the planet. ‘Can Scotland survive on its own? Of course it could. But I would like to set the bar a little higher than surviving. I’d like to see another three hundred years of scientific discovery and philosophical innovation that would maintain our position on the world stage and allow us to promote our shared values in a world that is increasingly in turmoil.’ JONI McARTHUR, from Shropshire (now living in Edinburgh) ‘When I put my two young children to bed they are unaware of the implications of this potentially mammoth constitutional change that is upon them. I have never felt such a weight of responsibility to vote before. And I will vote. I will vote a resounding ‘no’. Because the relationship between our lands in the UK family needs saving. We can’t get divorced now. This marriage might be on the rocks but it can be rescued. There is some serious work and investment to do but we can make it work. We have to turn this ship around.’ SANDRA WARDE (@sand1ee) from Stockport, Cheshire ‘It’s as though my best friend is slipping away, makes me so sad – please stay’ VAL FERGUSON, from BRIGHTON “My English and Scottish families defended Britain together. My uncles on both sides lie together in France, united in death as they were in life. It has greatly saddened me to see the SNP trying to create division and hatred between England and Scotland, only charging English students tuition fees, etc. The Enlightenment was a combination of the best minds in England and Scotland, the NHS was forged by politicians of all of the countries of Britain. I urge Scotland not to abandon their English, Welsh and Northern Irish brothers and sisters, but not vote for the union – and vote for a strong and prosperous future together.” ALASTAIR BENN, CAMBRIDGE “My family, education, interests – what one might label identity – are a patchwork of Scottish and English strands. Britain is a patchwork nation, with a patchwork soul. Please don’t rip it apart. It would break my very British heart.” FIONA PANNETT, an expat in SPAIN “I grew up in East Sussex. I now live in Barcelona, the capital of Catalonia, an autonomous region that wishes to have the right to vote for independence – a request which has been rejected by the Spanish government. The very fact that you have the chance to vote on this issue is the reason to stay. What makes the UK truly great is the tolerant, accepting nature of its citizens. Liberty and democracy built this nation, and it seems a terrible irony that it should break it down!”
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